Label web rewinder



Feb. 16, 1965 A. o. SOHN LABEL was REWINDER 3 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed April 1, 1957 INVENTOR. flue Q, 50

,ArMrKrM Feb. 16, 1965 A. o. SOHN 3,169,895

LABEL WEB REWINDER Original Filed April 1. 195' 3 eets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

94 EN 0. Sole M 1 259 BY 4 Mad, Mbwm A r roe/vs Y/ Feb. 16, 1965 A. o. soHN LABEL WEB REWINDER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed April 1. 1957 3 w 0H 7 3 E m W0 W l u M i| l n .l L w W 5 4 '3 l a 4 w 7 d M M United States Patent 3,169,895 LABEL "WEE REWINDER Allen 0. Sohn, 127 Fairview Drive, Plymouth, Wis. Griginal application Apr. 1, 1957, Ser. No. 649,958. Divided and this application May 27, 1963, Ser. No.

18 Claims. (till. 156--361} This invention relates to a label dispenser and web rewinder. This application is a continuation-in-part application based on my earlier application, Serial No. 93,829, filed on February 6, 1961, as a division of my still earlier application, Serial No. 649,958, filed on April 1, 1957, and now abandoned. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus for dispensing labels from a label carrying Web and for winding up the web after separation of the labels from the web. In addition, the invention relates to arrangements for actuating apparatus of the type referred to immediately above.

The invention provides an apparatus of the type described above including take-up means which serves to draw the label carrying web over an edge to thereby separate the labels from the web and to also wind up the separated web. Passage of the web over the edge also serves, at least while the label is partially connected to the web, to advance the label for application to the carton or the like to be labelled. The invention also involves actuation of the take-up means in response to the creation of a slack condition in the label carrying web between the edge and a suitable web source which includes means for feeding or advancing the label carrying web therefrom. The apparatus is initially actuated to cause advance of the label carrying web from the source so as to cause the slack condition. In turn, the slack condition causes operation of the take-up means.

In one embodiment, the invention provides manually operable means adjacent to the point of label discharge for activating the label advancing means at the source of the label carrying web. In another embodiment, the invention provides means operable automatically to aci tivate the feeding means at the web source in response to the advancement, as by travel on a conveyor, of a carton or container to be labelled relative to the apparatus. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become known by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings of two embodiments.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a first device embodying various features of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the device of FIGURE 1; 7 FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary enlarged cross sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective View diagrammatically illustrating how labels are dispensed from the backing web in the device of the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line -66 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective View showing the dispensing and separation according to my novel method of labels from bordering waste from which the labels are imperfectly die cut;

FIGURE 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line 88 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the backing web and adherent bordering waste from which the labels shown in FIGURES 7 and 8 have been separated;

FIGURE 10 is a greatly enlarged perspective view diagrammatically illustrating separation of labels from bordering waste from which the labels have been imperfectly die cut;

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, reference character 15 generally indicates a source of labels adherent to a flexible backing web. Broadly the source is immaterial. See for example label printing machines of the types shown in my prior applications, Serial No. 481,374, filed January 12, 1955, now United States Patent No.-2,946,281, and Serial No. 550,688, filed December 2, 1955, now United States Patent No. 2,791,175. The machine 15 shown in the instant drawing includes a printing roll 16 and a platen roll 17 between which labels 18 adherent to a flexible backing web 19 are fed. The labels and web are entirely conventional, the adhesive between the labels and web being of the pressure sensitive type.

The rolls 15, 17 may have intermeshing gears 20, 21 driven by the gear 24 on the motor driven single revolution clutch 25 which is actuated by oscillating lever 26 about its pivot pin 27. When the clutch is actuated the rollers 16, 17 will feed a length of web 19 equal to the distance along the web 19 between corresponding portions of successive labels 18.

My label dispenser and web rewinding mechanism may be mounted from base 28 on upstanding plate 29. An electric motor 32 is mounted on one side of the plate and has its armature connected through gear box to take-up means in the form of web rewinding spool or reel 33 which projects from the other side of the plate 29. On the top edge ofv the plate is mounted a label dispensing plate 34 which has a relatively sharp nose or edge 35 about which the web is drawn in the course of dispensing a label 18 therefrom. A guide plate 36 desirably overlies in spaced relation plate 34, being held thereto by the bolts 37 appropriately spaced therefrom by the washers 38. Guide rod 39 is positioned beyond nose 35 and slightly below 7 the path of the projected dispensed label 18. The rod desirably has disks 4! thereon to support the label .18 at spaced points and to leave room for finger access to the lower surface of the exposed label.

Motor 32 is supplied with electricity through power line 42 which is in series connection with microswitch 43 as best shown in FIGURE 2. The microswitch has its actuating button 44 subject to the action of lever arm 45 which is pivoted to the plate 29 on the pin 46. The

opposite end of the lever arm carriesa weighted roller 47 which rides on the web 19 which is stretched with varying degrees of tautness between the label printing machine 15 and the nose 35 of plate 34 of the label dispenser.

When the web 19 is slack the roller 47 descends by gravity to pivot lever arm 45 about its pintle 46, thus actuating microswitch 43 and closing the circuit to the motor 32 to wind the web on spool 33 thus tensioning the web 1 to draw it across the nose 350i the plate 34 to peel a label 18 therefrom as illustrated in FIG- URE 3. The web 19 may be about .003 inch in thickness and the label 18 about .606 inch in thickness. The web 19 is a flexible paper and the label 18 is stiffer paper.

When sufiicient length of web has been drawn in, the web beneath roller 47 will become taut to lift the, roller, de-actuate switch 43 and de-energize the motor. Slack can again be induced in the web to re-actuate the motor by the act of the operator in taking the dispensed label 18 from its position shown in FIGURES 3 and 5. A rubber faced bumper 48 on the end of a plunger 49 may be disposed in the path of the operators hand.

When the plunger 49 is actuated by the operator in the act of taking a dispensed label 13 from the dispensing machine, plunger 49 is actuated to trip the clutch 25 to causethe printing machine 15 to advance the web 19 a 'distance equal to the space thereon occupied by a single the'user, the instant showing being merely by way of exemplification.

sneassa From the foregoing it is clear that in the device of the present invention 'a label will be dispensed each time the bumper 48 is engaged and that in the course of dispensing the label the scrapweb is rewound on spool 33 for ready ultimate disposal. The dispensing and rewinding operation is triggered in response to actuation of the bumper 4S and according to the degree of slackness in theweb 19.

In FIGURES 7 through 10, I illustrate my novel method in which labels are separated in the dispensing operation both from the backing web 19 and from bordering waste 52 from which the labels may have been imperfectly die cut. As aforesaid the waste 52 maybe connected to labels 18 by small fibrous connections illustrated at 53 in FIGURE 10. Ylnsteadof trying to remove the waste by handprior to feeding a label, Web strip through the dispensing machine, I may optionally simply leave the Waste and the label together on the web for separation pursuant to my novel method illustrated in FIGURES 7 through 10.

According to my method, both the waste 52 and Web backing 19 are concurrently drawn .by the motor 32 across the nose 35 of the plate'34. Accordingly; as the web 19 and waste 52 are required to bend around the nose 35, the projection of the label 13 at an angle to the bent waste and web will sever .thefibrous connections 53 in the course of angular displacement between the label and waste. As hereinbefore stated, practice of my method eliminates the tedious and labor consuming operation of manually removing the waste from the backing web, this operation being reserved until both the web and the waste are concurrently drawn over the dispensing nose 35.

The label dispensing and rewinding device 101 shown in FIGURES 11, 12, and 13 is operative in generally thesame manner as the device shown in FIGURES 1, 2, and

3, except that. operation is controlled automatically in V 11, 12, and 13 is mounted on support means in the form of a frame 111 which is'positioned over the top of conveyor means 113 for advancing cartons 105 to be labelled.

At one end, the frame 111 is pivotally carried on a cross shaft 115 extending in spaced transverse relation over the conveying means .113. At its other end, the frame 111 is supported by a pair of threaded feetlor legs 117 which engage transversely, spaced supporting frame members 119 of the conveyor means 113. By threading the legs 117 relative to the frame 111, the height of the adjacent end of the frame 111 above the conveyor bed 121 can be adjusted as desired to accommodate cartons 105 or packages or the like of different height.

Mounted on the frame .111 are means 123 for feeding or advancing a label carrying web 19 from a source thereof in a form which is generally identical to that shown in FIGURE 1, except that the single revolution clutch 25 is actuated by swinging the lever 26 clockwise Alsomounted on the frame 111 is means 129 for separating the labels Fig-from the web 19, for winding up the separated Web 19, and for applying the separated labels 13 to the cartons 105' to be labelled. Such means includes a label separating assembly 131 including a plate 34 which has a relatively sharp nose or edge and a guide plate .36 whichissupported in spaced overlying relation to the plate 34. The label separating assembly 131 projects from the underside of the frame 111 with the edge 35 positioned adjacent to the path of the cartons 1&5 or articles to be labelled during their travel along the conveyor bed 121.

The label separating, web winding, and label applying means1-29 further includes a leaf spring 133 which pro,-

jects from the guide plate 36 downwardly into the path of travel of the cartons along the conveyor bed 121 and whichserves to press the labels -18 to the cartons as the label are discharged from the label separating assembly 131.

The label separting, Web Winding, and label applying means 129 also includes take-up means 135' in the form of a reel or spool 33 which is rotatably mounted on the frame 111, togetherwith means for advancing the label carrying Web from the edge 35 and onto the reel 33. Such means includes an electric motor 32 which is mounted on the frame 111 in driving connection with the reel 33.

As inthe device shown in FIGURES -1, 2, "and 3,'the device'101 shown in FIGURES 11, 12, and 13 includes mean 137 for regulating the action of the motor 32 in accordance with the feed or advance of the label carrying web 1? from the source or web feeding means 123 toward the edge 35. Such means includes means 139 for sensing a slack condition in the web 19 between the source or web feeding means 123 and the edge 35, which sensing means takes the form of a lever arm 45 which is pivotally mounted on'the frame by pivot 46. At one end, the lever arm 45 carries a roller 47 which, through the action-of gravity, rides on the web 19. The motor regulating mean 137 also includes. means operated by the lever arm 45 and electrically connected to the motor 32 for actuation thereof in response to the presence of a slack condition in the web 19 between the edge 35 and the source or web feeding means 123 and for de-activatingthe motor 32 in the absence of such a slackcondition. Such means takes the form of a switch 43 which opens and closes a power circuit to the motor 32.

Operation of the web advancing means 123 so a to eventually effect label separation and web rewinding is controlled by the switch means 127 whichis electrically connected to the solenoid .125 and located in the path "of advancementof the cartons 105 along the conveyor bed 121. More particularly, the switch means 127' com prises a switch 143 including an operator or actuating arm 145 which. extends into the path of movement of car-tons on the conveyor and is carried on a subfrarne 147 which is adjustably positionable on the frame 111 along the direction of carton movement. By adjusting the dis-' -movable along the conveyor bed 121; and around a pair of pulleys or sprockets 151 by power means in the form of a motor 153. T he endless member or belt preferably includes pusher-sin the form of cross bars 155 which as sure carton movement along the conveyor bed, pastthe switch operator 145, and under the leaf spring 133.

In operation, a carton 105 traveling along the conveyor means engages the switch-operator 145 to close the switch 143. Closure of the switch 143 actuates the solenoid 125to cause operation of the oneaevolution clutch 25.

Such activity results in advance of the label carrying web 19 through a distance corresponding with the distance between corresponding portion of successive labels 18 and creates a slack condition in the web 19 between the label separating assembly 131 and the source or web feeding means 123. The presence of the slack condition results in the closure of the switch 43 by the lever arm 45, thereby actuating the motor 32 to rotate the reel 33 and draw the web 19 around the edge 35 until such time as the lack condition is eliminated. Such travel of the web 19 around the edge 35 separates a label 18 from the web 19 and also serves to advance the label 18, while the label is still partially connected to the web, toward the carton 195 for adhesive engagement therewith.

'Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A label web dispensing and rewinding machine comprising a label web source, take-up means, motor means connected to said take-up means, an edge over which the web is trained and about which labels are dispensed, means for regulating action of the motor means in accordance with the dispensing of labels from said web and including means to sense slack in said web between said source and edge and means whereby said motor will actuate said take-up means when the web is slack and will deactuate said take-up means when the web is taut, in further combination with means including a manually actuated trigger adjacent said edge for feeding the web r-om its source in response to manual removal of labels dispensed over said edge, manual actuation of said trigger causing the web to be fed from said source and slacken the web to energize said motor means.

2. The machine of claim 1 in which the label web source includes means for feeding a length of web equal to the length of the label in response to each trigger actuation.

=3. A machine for dispensing labels from a label carrying web for application to articles to be labelled and for winding up the web after separation therefrom of the labels, said machine comprising means for separating the labels from the web and for winding up the separated web, said means including an edge, and motor means for advancing the web around the edge so as to separate the labels from the web, means for feeding the label carrying web from a source toward said edge, means for advancing articles to be labelled relative to said label separating and web winding means, and switch means disposed in the path of advancement of the articles relative to said label separating and web winding means for operative engagement with the articles to be labelled to cause actuation 'of said motor means.

4. A machine for dispensing labels from a label car-' rying web, for winding up the web after separation therefrom of the labels, and for applying the separated labels to articles to be labelled, said machine comprising means for separating the labels from the web, for winding up the separated web, and for applying the separated labels to the articles to be labelled, said means including an edge, and means for advancing the web around the edge so as to separate the labels from the web, means for feeding the label carrying Web from a source toward said edge, means for advancing articles to be labelled relative to said label separating, web winding, and label applying means, and switch means disposed in the path of advancemcnt of the articles relative to said label separating, web winding, and label applying means for operative engagerncnt with the articles to be labelled to cause actuation of said motor means.

5. A machine for dispensing labels from a label carrying web for application to articles to be labelled and for winding up the web after separation therefrom of the labels, said machine comprising means for separating the labels from the web and for winding up the separated web, said means including an edge, and motor means for advancing the web around the edge so as to separate the labels from the web, means for feeding the label carrying web from a source toward said edge, means for regulating action of the motor means in accordance with the feed of the label carrying web from the source toward said edge and including means for sensing a slack condition in said web between said edge and the source, and means operated by said sensing means and controlling said motor mcans for actuating said motor means in response to the presence of a slack condition in the web between said edge and the source and for deactuating said motor in the absence of a slack condition, means for advancing articles to be labelled relative to said label separating and web winding means, and switch means disposed in the path of advancement of the articles relative to said label separating and web winding means for operative engagement with the articles to be labelled to cause actuation of said motor means.

6. A machine in accordance with claim 5 wherein said switch means is connected to said feed means and causes actuation thereof in response to operative engagement by an article to be labelled, which actuation of said feed means creates a slack condition in the web, thereby actuating said motor means.

'7. A machine in accordance with claim 6 wherein said feed means includes means for limiting each advance of the web from the source through a distance equal to the distance along the web between corresponding portions on successive labels.

8. A machine for dispensing labels from a label carrying web for application to articles to be labelled and for winding upthe web after separation therefrom of the labels, said machine comprising means for separating the labels from the web and for winding up the separated web, said means including an edge, a reel, and motor means for rotating said reel so as to advance the web around the edge, thereby separating the labels from the web, means for advancing the label carrying web from a source toward said edge and including means for limiting each advance of the web from the source through a distance equal to the distance along the web between corresponding portions on successive labels, means for regulating action of the motor means in accordance with the feed of the label carrying web from the source toward said edge and including means for sensing a slack condition in said web between said edge and the source, and means operated by said sensing means and controlling said motor means for actuating said motor means to rotate said reel in response to the presence of a slack condition in the web between said edge and the source and for deactuating said motor to discontinue rotation of said reel in the absence of a slack condition, means for advancing articles to be labelled relative to said label separating and web winding means, and switch means disposed in the path of advancement of the articles relative to said label separating and web winding means and connected to said web advancing means for causing web advancing activity thereof in response'to operative engagement of said switch means by an article to be labelled, thereby creating a slack condition in the web which results in actuation of said motor means to rotate said reel.

9. A machine for dispensing labels from a label car rying web for application to articles to be labelled and for winding up the web after separation therefrom of the labels, said machine comprising means for separating the labels from the web and for winding up the separated web, said means including an edge and motor means for advancing the web around the edge so as to separate the labels from the web, means for feeding the label carrying web from a source toward said edge, means for regulating action of the motor means in accordance with the feed of the label carrying web from the source toward said edge and including means for sensing a slack condition in said web between said edge and the source, and means operated by said sensing means and controlling said motor means for actuating said motor means in response to the presence'of a slack condition in the web between said edge and the source and for deactuating said motor in the absence of a slack condition, and switch means connected to said Web feeding means for causing 5 activity thereof, thereby creating a slack condition in the web which results in actuation of said motor means.

10. A machine in accordance with claim,9 wherein said switch means is located adjacent tosaid edge for actuation in response to manual removal of labels dis- 10 charged from said edge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED, STATES PATENTS Borton Oct.

Gassaway Feb. Patterson Aug.

Northrup Dec.

Freeland Apr Reich June 

1. A LABEL WEB DISPENSING AND REWINDING MACHINE COMPRISING A LABEL WEB SOURCE, TAKE-UP MEANS, MOTOR MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID TAKE-UP MEANS, AN EDGE OVER WHICH THE WEB IS TRAINED AND ABOUT WHICH LABES ARE DISPENSED, MEANS FOR REGULATING ACTION OF THE MOTOR MEANS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DISPENSING LABELS FROM SAID WEB AND INCLUDING MEANS TO SENSE SLACK IN SAID WEB BETWEEN SAID SOURCE AND EDGE AND MEANS WHEREBY SAID MOTOR WILL ACTUATE SAID TAKE-UP MEANS WHEN THE WEB IS SLACK AND WILL DEACTUATE SAID TAKE-UP MEANS WHEN THE WEB IS TAUT, IN FURTHER COMBINATION WITH MEANS INCLUDING A MANUALLY ACTUATED TRIGGER ADJACENT SAID EDGE FOR FEEDING THE WEB FROM ITS SOURCE IN RESPONSE TO MANUAL REMOVAL OF LABELS DISPENSED OVER SAID EDGE, MANUAL ACTUATION OF SAID TRIGGER CAUSING THE WEB TO BE FED ROM SAID SOURCE AND SLACKEN THE WEB TO ENERGIZE SAID MOTOR MEANS. 